PattyJ.com - A Lifestyle Blog

What else is a self-proclaimed pop culture, style, and beauty expert (or some may say know-it-all) to do but start a blog? Hi, I'm Patty J. - founder of PattyJ.com, a RI based lifestyle blog with a funny, smart, fashion-y take on daily life. Be sure to watch for profiles of the coolest people and places in RI and beyond as well as guest blogs from family and friends old and new.

I am a writer, mixologist and beverage consultant & I own Little Bitte Artisanal Cocktails, Rhode Island’s first “garden to glass” cocktail catering company. I grew up on a small herb farm called Blessingway, just 10 miles outside of Providence, where I learned to make bitters, tinctures and infusions with my mom, an herbalist & midwife. I’m inspired by fresh and foraged foods, natural wine & knowing where my ingredients come from. I sing and make performance art with my sister Glenna (We’re called VNS, Van Nostrand Sisters.) & I love living on the Westside of Providence. I enjoy travelling across our small Ocean State to find the most delicious food & drink. Keep your eyes peeled for my cocktail column, Here’s How! Cocktails, in Edible Rhody.

On Coffee, Food, Cocktails & Music

For Coffee & Pastry: Pastiche. I have been going there for cappuccino and rugelach since I was a young teenager. I love the warm ambience with the fireplace in the winter. I’ve also been known to end up at Pastiche on my morning runs. Counter-intuitive? I think not!

Bolt Coffee at The Dean for espresso, quick meetings & checking out the great culture & couture magazine collection in the lobby.

For Brunch: Nick's on Broadway, Kitchen and Loie Fuller’s. You cannot beat a meal at Nick's. Howard at Kitchen makes a mean french toast and his bacon is thick, hand-cut and crispy. Loie Fuller's hosts 1 brunch a week on Sundays and it always feels like a special occasion: farm fresh eggs, colorful salads, inventive omelettes. You may even catch an order of fried chicken & waffles if you’re lucky.

For Dinner: Alforno for Spicy Margherita Pizza and a martini, Den Den for the Kimchi Hot Pot or Ramen & a glass of rosé & El Rancho Grande for Enchiladas Suizas and Mezcal (my favorite spirit). And always, oysters at North.

Cocktails: The Slow Rhode. I am so excited about this place! It’s Pat Lowney’s (from Broadway Bistro) newest addition to the Westside food scene. Amazing small shareable plates, a take on Nashville hot fried chicken, a delicious burger...The Westside has been due for a place like this for a few years now. I consulted on the cocktail menu & we have some real beauties for you, like a pristine honey-distilled vodka & cassis (black currant) cocktail or a spicy & floral margarita with black sea salt & a Bourbon Old-Fashioned with a serious kick. Go with a friend or 2 and taste through the cocktail list. I dare you. Pair with the seared kale salad, crawfish beignets & any of the bigger plates (hot fried chicken!!).

After, hop down to Lonely Street in Olneyville Square for a round. Order a mini Bud bottle (It’s just so darn cute!) and a shot of VEP Green Chartreuse, this is one of their specialties…While you’re at it, take a few pics in the black and white photo booth!

Wine: I am really excited about natural wine. Natural wines are generally biodynamic & organic ones that have been produced with very little intervention on the vineyard, in the cellar and during bottling, i.e., low-to-zero additives or sulfites. Think purity, personality and terroir. Campus Fine Wines has a great natural wine selection as does Grapes & Gourmet in Jamestown. A few bottles to try: Morphos Petillant Naturel (from Maine) or Royaz Sparkling Wine (from Slovenia). You will find both at Grapes & Gourmet. Taste Domaine du Mortier Graviers 2013 (Loire Valley, France) & Chemins de Bassac Isa White 2014 (Languedoc-Roussillon). Both are available at Campus Fine Wines. Not sure if your local wine store stocks natural wine? Ask! And yee shall receive…

Live Music: There’s nothing like it! I used to book music & curate art shows at Machines With Magnets in Pawtucket. Marcel Mcvay is doing a great job lining up fresh acts & exciting experimental musicians now (Great bar program too!). I love what the guys at The Columbus Theatreare doing - I look forward to seeing Morgan Eve’s new project, The Huntress. Keep your eyes peeled for Jacob Wolf, he books fabulous (free!?) folk shows at Aurora on Monday nights.

Outings: I love any hike that’s next to the ocean. Walks at Beavertail in Jamestown, Goddard Park in East Greenwich & Lincoln Woods are my go-tos. I’m always looking for new spots to take my pup Gladiola (Gladdy) for a long walk.

What I’m Drinking

The Old Fashioned Dram

(A spin on a traditional Old-Fashioned with a spicy, warming bite of allspice)

2 oz Bulleit Bourbon

¼ oz Saint Elizabeth Allspice Dram

barspoon sugar (or a brown sugar cube if you have one)

garnish with blood orange wheel

Preparation: In a rocks glass, add a barspoon of sugar (or brown sugar cube) and Allspice Dram and muddle for 10 seconds until you have a fine paste. Add ice and pour whiskey. Stir for 15 seconds and garnish with a blood orange wheel. Cheers!

PattyJ Style

What else is a self-proclaimed pop culture, style, and beauty expert (or some may say know-it-all) to do but start a blog? Hi, I am PattyJ - founder of PattyJ.com, a RI based lifestyle blog with a funny, smart, fashion-y take on everyday life. Be sure to watch for profiles of the coolest people and place in RI and beyond as well as guest blogs from family and friends old and new.

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About PattyJ.com

What else is a self-proclaimed pop culture, style, and beauty expert (or some may say know-it-all) to do but start a blog? Hi, I'm Patty J., founder of PattyJ.com, a RI based lifestyle blog with a savvy, funny, fashion-y take on daily life. Be sure to watch for profiles of people and places in RI and beyond as well as guest posts from family and friends, old and new.